Strapless Air Confusion (You've heard it before)

sirmichaelo · Since 26 Mar 2010 353 Posts Maui Obsessed

(This is my first dedicated strapless season. Stoked. So please be patient with my ???s)

So, every time I read about 'how to strapless air' it always says to 'angle your board into the wind so that it pushes against your feet' and my brain doesn't compute it all and it shuts down.

Here's my question:

Does this mean that you have to be riding upwind to jump? I might understand that.

But if you are riding downwind or perpendicular is there any way to angle your board into the wind? Seems like it would always get blown off your feet even if you somehow started the jump angled into the wind. Can you jump going downwind?

I'm sure this will all make sense once I get out and riding, but until then please stop my brain from hurting.

forrest · Fri May 13, 11 10:34 am

Means it only works in waves with onshore wind. It's really just a kiteboarding gimic.

Airs should be unhooked and should look like this, which is where I see wave riding going and should only be a matter of time before it happens (slide 9): http://www.surfline.com/surf-news/behind-the-scenes-the-westsiders-the-birth-of-santa-cruzs-air-brigade_42329/

tautologies · Since 24 Aug 2006 602 Posts Oahu Addicted

Check this out..I guess as far as strapless no grabs goes this is pretty much as far as kiting has evolved...

http://www.sbckiteboard.com/video_display/video:3233/SURFING-WITH-STRANGERS

tautologies · Since 24 Aug 2006 602 Posts Oahu Addicted

so to specify...check out how they use their ankle angles to bring the bbottom of the board into the wind...you can use bending your knees and and stretching your legs too...

DROCK999 · Since 31 May 2007 852 Posts Left Coast Opinionated

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2619 Posts The 503 METAL

Watching Alldridge & company in a side-onshore, you can see clearly that they angle the bottom of the board up against the wind to help it stick....that said, the more I watch, the more start to believe the velcro bootie theory.

At the very least, the wind aginst the bottom of the board is going to give you that extra second to get that grab and keep the board in place.

Personally, I haven't had much progress expcept I've started to leverage the wind more to keep the board on my feet as I am getting lofted over the top on my way out in the surf...vs. seeing the board fall away underneath you.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

launching off a nice ramp angled into the wind aint no thing - landing anything over head high - good luck...

watch the ankles - can be harsh if dont keep air under your kite and come in hot

talk to Chanson hes got the powaz

sirmichaelo · Since 26 Mar 2010 353 Posts Maui Obsessed

Ok, I can grasp the side onshore topic. But what about a perfect side shore day? Lets say at Ft Stevens on a good day. How does that work? Do you have to jump while angled upwind? Also, Do you lose your board if you launch (accidentally or not) off of a wave face while angled downwind? Would it be better to ride strapless at a side onshore location like Manzanita etc?

Thanks yo.

airpadre · Since 15 Apr 2009 25 Posts

I think the term using "pressing into the wind" is a little confusing. I would say it is more pressing the board between you and the direction in which you are traveling. Once they pop with speed, the strapless riders are keeping the board between them and their forward movement (apparent wind).

forrest · Sun May 15, 11 4:56 pm

DROCK999 · Since 31 May 2007 852 Posts Left Coast Opinionated

forrest · Sun May 15, 11 10:19 pm

It's just a gimmick that impresses Internet kiteboarders. Patrick is a friend of mine, and I don't mean to disrespect him, but it is what it is...

sirmichaelo · Since 26 Mar 2010 353 Posts Maui Obsessed

Whoa whoa whoa... easy compadres.

No style battles here.

Ruben's cool. Ian's cool. I still suck.

The 'apparent wind' observation is the best I've heard. I like it. It makes more sense.

Gonna test it soon.

Anyone gonna be out on Monday or Tuesday in the hood? I'm buying some black RPMs at the moment. Let's be scientific yo.

The 1965 green van will be on the spot too. (Still available and for sale. But don't come knockin' if the van's rockin').

mojo1time · Since 28 Jul 2005 186 Posts Stoked

pushing into the wind and grabbing a 5 plus foot strapless air is awesome fun....Ian's cover shot is WAY cool. Not gimmicks...what up Forrest. If we aren't going off a ramp in a swamp/cable park in Texas or doing something unhooked it is not cool or interesting. You are off a bit here I think......

Back on the water soon....

Lance

forrest · Mon May 16, 11 7:39 am

I just spent 3 months riding waves almost everyday. I'm not a trustfunder, I just have a job that lets me work from anywhere, feel free to be jealous. I rode enough waves, in every style possible, except with foot straps (always strapless), to know what was easy, what was hard, and I know what I pushed myself to do. I'm speaking from a wave riding/surfboard riding perspective here.

First, Tybo has been doing this for years on skimboards and also surfboards.

Second, Kiteboarding spectation/media is like a cage of hungry lions. Doesn't matter what you throw in the cage, they'd gobble it up like it was prime rib.

All I'm saying is don't be fooled, demand more of your pros so your pros progress and push the sport beyond the gimmick of a wakekite.

PS: I've not seen a picture of Ian actually landing that massive air? Did he land it?

PPS: We are talking about a recreational sport here right? Please don't beat me up on the beach! Razz

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon May 16, 11 9:24 am

I think its time to start wearing my red flowered board shorts as a "see, I don't give a shit" statement. But, I'm trying to make the transition from monkey to honey badger so it is kind of implicit.

Waters not even warm and people need a diaper change.

If you want to land really big airs then mastering the "use the wind to keep your board on trick" is a requirement. For the smaller airs, you can do pretty well by sucking your legs up on the pop, not getting too much lift from the kite, and then slowly extending your legs on the descent to keep your board on the feet.

It feels weird and completely tenuous, and you need a little jedi mind tricks but that is why it is soo much fun and your soo stoked when you land them.

barfly · Since 31 Mar 2005 1214 Posts Portland BRACKISH